Novel Compositions of Fat-Soluble Substances

Abstract

The invention relates to novel powderous, water-soluble compositions of fat-soluble substances and aqueous solutions or emulsions thereof, wherein the fat-soluble substance(s) are encapsulated as inner (discontinuous) phase within an outer (continuous) phase of a matrix substance.

1 . Compositions comprising 
 a) a matrix substance forming an outer (continuous) phase; and    b) an inner (discontinuous) phase within said matrix substance which comprises b1) a fat-soluble physiologically active ingredient which is embedded in b2) a physiologically acceptable encapsulating substance which is solid at room temperature and, together with said fat-soluble physiologically active ingredient, is homogeneously soluble in an organic solvent.    
   
   
       2 . Compositions wherein the encapsulating substance is a wax or wax-like substance.  
   
   
       3 . Compositions wherein the encapsulating substance is beeswax or carnauba wax.  
   
   
       4 . Compositions wherein the encapsulating substance is a resin, a hardened fat, or a polymer.  
   
   
       5 . Compositions as in  claim 1  wherein the matrix substance comprises gelatin, a lignosulfonate, a milk protein or hydrolysed milk protein, a plant protein or hydrolysed plant protein, or modified starch.  
   
   
       6 . Compositions as in  claim 1  wherein the fat-soluble physiologically active ingredient is a carotenoid.  
   
   
       7 . Compositions as in  claim 6  wherein the carotenoid is astaxanthin or canthaxanthin.  
   
   
       8 . Compositions as in  claim 1  wherein the fat-soluble physiologically active ingredient is a polyunsaturated fatty acid.  
   
   
       9 . Compositions as in  claim 1  which are aqueous emulsions.  
   
   
       10 . Compositions as in  claim 1  which are solid compositions.  
   
   
       11 . Compositions as in  claim 10  which are cold-water soluble.  
   
   
       12 . Compositions as in  claim 1  which further comprise auxiliary agents such as antioxidants, stabilising and emulsifying agents.  
   
   
       13 . Process for the preparation of a composition as claimed in  claim 1  which comprises the steps of dissolving the fat-soluble physiologically active ingredient and the encapsulating substance in a common organic solvent for both substances to obtain an oily phase, emulsifying the oily phase with an aqueous solution of the matrix substance, evaporating the organic solvent, and, if desired, converting the emulsion into a solid state composition.  
   
   
       14 . A food or animal feed or supplement therefor, or a pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulation comprising a composition as defined in  claim 1.